Systems and methods for capture and use of local elements in gameplay

Abstract

A computer-implemented method is provided for enabling virtual gameplay. Access is provided to at least one video game in which a player is able to interact with the video game according to a storyline. A player location is detected and stored. A local element is retrieved from a database based on the player location and the local element is correlated to a local element script actuatable in the video game. This local element script is retrieved and actuated in the video game to supplement or replace the video game's storyline.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 29 . (canceled) 
     
     
         30 . A computer-implemented method of enabling virtual gameplay on a computing device, the method comprising the steps of:
 responding to a first player in a real world geographic location logging onto a video game having a virtual character with a virtual character statistic in which players interact with the video game and with other players in other real world geographic locations playing other virtual characters having virtual character statistics by: determining the real world player geographic location of the first player and causing a local element script associated with the real world geographic location to become actuatable in the video game to modify a plot node of the video game; and   responding to the first player in the real world player geographic location subsequently logging off of the video game by causing the local element script associated with the real world geographic location to become un-actuatable in the video game.   
     
     
         31 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the local element script is mapped to a weather condition associated with the real world geographic location. 
     
     
         32 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the real world geographic location of the first player corresponds to a coordinate obtained via use of a global positioning sensor. 
     
     
         33 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the real world geographic location of a player corresponds to a device identifier for a gaming device being used to play the video game. 
     
     
         34 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 33 , wherein the computing device is the gaming device. 
     
     
         35 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 30 , wherein the real world geographic location is a billing address linked to the player. 
     
     
         36 . A non-transitory, computer-readable media having stored thereon instructions wherein the instructions, when executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform steps comprising:
 responding to a first player in a real world geographic location logging onto a video game having a virtual character with a virtual character statistic in which players interact with the video game and with other players in other real world geographic locations playing other virtual characters having virtual character statistics by: determining the real world player geographic location of the first player and causing a local element script associated with the real world geographic location to become actuatable in the video game to modify a plot node of the video game; and   responding to the first player in the real world player geographic location subsequently logging off of the video game by causing the local element script associated with the real world geographic location to become un-actuatable in the video game.   
     
     
         37 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 36 , wherein the local element script is mapped to a weather condition associated with the real world geographic location. 
     
     
         38 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 36 , wherein the real world geographic location of the first player corresponds to a coordinate obtained via use of a global positioning sensor. 
     
     
         39 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 36 , wherein the real world geographic location of a player corresponds to a device identifier for a gaming device being used to play the video game. 
     
     
         40 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 39 , wherein the computing device is the gaming device. 
     
     
         41 . The non-transitory, computer-readable media of  claim 36 , wherein the real world geographic location is a billing address linked to the player.